Minnesota Timberwolves' Schedule Breakdown and Record Predictions for January
December was a month to forget for the Minnesota Timberwolves, but January has the potential to be their best of the season.
After losing several of their players to injury, the Wolves could get their floor general Ricky Rubio back in two-to-three weeks, per Yahoo Sports. The Wolves have spent months relying on 19-year-old rookie Zach LaVine, who has shown glimpses of brilliance, surrounded by nights of mediocrity.
More good news for the Wolves: In January, they only face five teams that made the playoffs last season. The combination of Rubio’s return and the Wolves’ easy January schedule should amount to their best month of the season.
Week 1: 01/01-01/03
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Most Notable Matchup: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Sacramento Kings (Jan. 1)
In Week 1, the Wolves face the Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz.
You know it’s an easy week when the toughest matchup is against the Kings (13-19), who have lost eight of their last 10 contests. This is a key game for the Wolves because it’s their first chance to start the New Year on the right foot.
The Kings haven’t been great this season, but they do have arguably the best offensive center in the NBA, DeMarcus Cousins. According to ESPN’s Hollinger stats, Cousins leads the league among centers with a 27.55 player efficiency rating.
On January 3, the Wolves host the Utah Jazz (11-21). Besides Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors, this team does not have any consistent offensive threats; therefore, this should be an easy win for the high-flying Wolves.
Unfortunately, with the Wolves in last place, it’s hard to call any matchup an “easy win.” Most likely, they’ll split these two games.
Weekly Record: 1-1
Week 2: 01/05 to 01/10
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Most Notable Matchup: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs (Jan. 10)
In Week 2, the Wolves face the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks and San Antonio Spurs.
They start off the week hosting the struggling Nuggets (13-19). With Kenneth Faried and Wilson Chandler both listed as day-to-day, according to ESPN’s injury report, the Wolves could luck out by facing a depleted Nuggets roster. Unfortunately, a week should be plenty of time for these two players to get healthy.
Next, they host the Suns (18-16), who currently hold the eighth seed in the Western Conference. The Wolves will have no answer for the three-headed-guard monster that is Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas.
The Wolves then travel to the Badger State to face the Bucks. Coach Jason Kidd has turned the Bucks into a surprisingly competitive squad that currently holds the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. Even with Jabari Parker hurt, the Bucks haven’t missed a step.
To end the week, the Wolves host the defending champions. The aging Spurs find themselves in the middle of a competitive conference. Over the last three seasons, they have finished as either the first or second seed in the West, but this year they’re barely hanging onto the seventh seed.
The Wolves' only chance at winning in San Antonio is to use their athleticism and youth to their advantage. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker are all in their 30s, and they won't be able to run with players like Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine.
This game will be an interesting fight between old versus young, but barring a miracle, the Spurs will probably be victorious.
Weekly Record: 0-4
Week 3: 01/13 to 01/17
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Most Notable Matchup: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Indiana Pacers (Jan. 13)
In Week 3, the Wolves go on the road to face the Indiana Pacers, Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets.
The Wolves start the week by flying to Indiana to face the Pacers (12-21). With the departure of Lance Stephenson and the absence of Paul George, the Pacers have been unable to find a rhythm.
The Pacers’ lack of offensive threats could amount to a Wolves upset. There is a chance that the Wolves will have Ricky Rubio back in time for this game, which would further increase their chances of a road victory.
Next, they travel to the desert to face the Suns (18-16). Unlike the Wolves, the Suns actually have a chance to make the playoffs. According to ESPN, they have five players with a player efficiency rating over 15 (the league average); the Wolves only have two (who have played at least 10 games).
Let’s just go out on a limb and call this a loss.
To end the week, the Wolves face the Nuggets (13-19) in arguably the toughest arena in the NBA. Due to the change of altitude, visiting teams tend to struggle in Denver, especially on long road trips.
On the road, the Nuggets are only 4-11 this season, but at home, they have an adequate 9-8 record.
Weekly Record: 1-2
Week 4: 01/19 to 01/25
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Most Notable Matchup: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks
In Week 4, the Wolves face the Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans and Atlanta Hawks.
To start the week, the Wolves host the miserable Hornets (10-23). After making the playoffs last season and then signing potential All-Star Lance Stephenson, the Hornets were expected to flourish, but that has not been the case. Stephenson has struggled this year, shooting only 38.6 percent from the floor.
With the Hornets struggling and Wolves hopefully at full health, this should be a nice win for the home team.
The Wolves' most notable matchup of the week will be against the Mavericks (23-10). The addition of Rajon Rondo has turned this above-average team into a championship contender.
The Mavs are currently the best offensive team in the NBA, which does not bode well with the Wolves’ last-place defense. Expect Dirk Nowitzki and Monte Ellis to go off and lead their team to an easy blowout victory.
Next, the Wolves host the Pelicans (16-16). So far this season, the Pelicans are struggling to stay in the playoff picture. They are falling behind the Phoenix Suns, and the red-hot Oklahoma Thunder are making up ground quickly, winning 11 of their 16 games in December.
The Pelicans may not be bound for the playoffs, but they’re still ahead of the Wolves. They will have no answer for Anthony Davis, who is arguably the best player in the NBA so far this season.
The Wolves end the week on the road against the Hawks (23-8). Right now, the Hawks are possibly the most underrated team in the NBA. They currently hold the second-best record in the Eastern Conference and are only half a game behind the Toronto Raptors.
This looks to be a guaranteed loss for the Wolves.
Weekly Record: 1-3
Week 5: 01/26 to 01/31
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Most Notable Matchup: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
In Week 4, the Wolves face the Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
To start the week, the Wolves go on the road to face the Thunder. After struggling with injuries at the beginning of the season, the Thunder have caught fire and are currently only a game-and-a-half out of the last playoff spot in the West.
Both the Wolves and Thunder should be at full health, so this matchup should be an exciting one to watch. Unfortunately, the Wolves (much like the rest of the NBA) will have no answer for Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. The thunderous duo is currently averaging more than 50 points per game combined.
Then the Wolves return home to host the no-name Celtics. After trading away Rajon Rondo, the Celtics are without a face of the franchise for the first time in more than a decade. Their lack of offense and veteran leadership will probably result in a Wolves victory.
Next, they travel to Philadelphia to play the 76ers. The last time these two teams faced, the Wolves gave the Sixers their first victory of the season.
Fortunately for the Wolves, the 76ers are winless this year at home. With the Wolves hopefully at full health, this should be a guaranteed victory.
To end the week, they host the LeBron James and the Cavaliers. The Cavs are not looking like true title contenders, but they’re still light-years ahead of the Wolves.
However, the return of Kevin Love to Minnesota will probably fire up the fans in attendance. The passion in the arena could motivate the Wolves and result in a huge upset.
The last time these two teams met, Andrew Wiggins played with a chip on his shoulder and scored 27 points. This time, expect the whole team to play with a chip on their shoulder in front of their home crowd.
Weekly Record: 3-1
January Recap
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Record for the Month: 6-11
The Wolves won’t have a great record this month, but it’ll definitely be an improvement.
Barring a setback or trade, the Wolves should have their Big Three back for at least half of January. Also, their schedule this month will be fairly easy, as they only face a few potential playoff teams.
Not only will the Wolves regain a few of their key veterans, but several of their young players are beginning to find a rhythm. Shabazz Muhammad has arguably been the most improved player in the NBA, and Andrew Wiggins looks like a potential Rookie of the Year candidate.
January may not be pretty, but it’ll be a fun month to watch and see how the veterans mix with the newcomers.
All stats and records are updated as of Thursday December 31 and courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.
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